August 1528

Aug. 2. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 35, St. Mark's Library.

328. The Same to the Same.

The Genoese merchants at Yiterbo announce the acceptance by the Emperor of the challenge to fight the most Christian King, and he has appointed the spot on the river of Bayonne, on the borders of the two kingdoms.

Viterbo, 2nd August.

[Italian, 2 pages.]

Aug. 2. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), Filza 8.

329. Reply of the Signory to the French Ambassadors, Yiscount of Turenne and Bishop of Avranches.

Delayed making the necessary announcement concerning Ravenna and Cervia, because having written their reasons to England and their ambassador in France, they awaited a reply; especially as in date of the 18th ult., the Signory's ambassador in England writes he
had been unable to state their reasons to the King and Cardinal, because they admitted neither ambassadors nor others, from suspicion of the plague.

[Italian.]

Aug. 6. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 36, St. Mark's Library.

330. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.

As yet nothing whatever is heard of the Pisani galley and Cardinal Campeggio, but from hour to hour return news (fn. 1) may be expected.

Viterbo, 6th August.

[Italian.]

Aug. 7. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlviii. p. 296.

331. Antonio Surian, Venetian Ambassador in Florence, to the Signory.

The English ambassador, Sir Gregory Casal, D. Romulo, Lautrec's envoy, and Sanga, the Pope's ambassador, having been to [Andrea] Doria to exhort him to remain in the service of the most Christian King, he replied that he would not do so; and when urged to engage himself to the Pope, he said he would be entirely Imperial. It seems he has hoisted the Emperor's colours.

Florence, 7th August.

[Italian.]

Aug. 8. Parti Comuni, Consiglio X.

332. Decree of the Council of Ten and Junta.

Lodovico Falier, elected ambassador to England, to receive as subvention for four months, 560 golden ducats; also 150 ducats, at the rate of six livres and four soldi per ducat, for horses; also 50 ducats as a gift for the secretary, according to the Act passed by the Council of Ten; also for coverings and trunks, 30 ducats; and for two couriers, at the rate of 20 ducats each, 40 ducats; forming a total of 830 ducats.

On the expiration of three months after his departure the Treasurer of this Council to pay monthly to the ambassador's agent in Venice, 140 ducats, as one month's salary in advance. And to defray the costs of couriers, boats, escorts, and guides, he is to receive 200 golden ducats, of which he is to keep a particular account.

Ayes, 25. Noes, 1. Neutrals, 1.

[Italian.]

Aug. 11. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 37, St. Mark's Library.

333. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.

On the 9th Sir Gregory Casal and D. Joan Joachin [Passano] arrived here. Casal quitted the Pisani galley at Leghorn; Cardinal Campeggio having already disembarked off Piombino, and embarked with the galleys of Rhodes for Provence.

D. Joan Joachin [Passano] quitted France on the 17th ult., and after conferring with Mons. de S. Pol proceeded to Genoa and from thence to Lerice, to Andrea Doria, where he met D. Leonard Romulo. Joan Joachin and Romulo then went to Florence where they found Sir Gregory Casal, who with Joachin rode post hither. Casal has got a tertian ague. Romulo and Joachin having asked
Andrea Doria for a safeconduct for the galley, and for 50,000 ducats, he would not five it, telling them that should a commission arrive from his master, after signing the agreement, he was bound to obey him; wherefore the galley should depart and the 50,000 ducats be transmitted by land.

With regard to Andrea Doria they utterly despair of detaching him from the Emperor. Doria has entertained this project from a design to rule his country, (fn. 2) so he does not scruple to desert King Francis, (to whom he is bound for four years, having served him but for one,) regardless of being a Knight of St. Michael and his Majesty's subject.

Doria says Naples is provisioned until the 10th of September; that ere then he expects to receive from Spain the confirmation of his agreement. He expects to have 25 sail, and purposes entering Naples. Should the fleets of Venice and France dispute his passage, he intends to give them battle, as he holds the Venetian galleys in very small account, nor has he a very high opinion of those of France.

Viterbo, 11th August.

[Italian, 6¾ pages.]

Aug. 12. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 38, St. Mark's Library.

334. The Same to the Same.

The Nuncio in Spain, Baldassar Castiglione, states that the defiance of the King of France and the Emperor was advancing, under consultation with all the Grandees of Spain, and according to their counsel.

Viterbo, 12th August.

[Italian, 3½ pages.]

Aug. 18. Parti Secrete, Consiglio X. File 2.

335. Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.

As it would be perilous to allude in the Senate to the 100,000 crowns contributed to the most Christian King by the King of England, and to the half of the revenues of the kingdom [of Naples], the Senate not being acquainted with the intercepted letters of Mons. de Lautrec,—Put to the ballot, that the letters concerning those two particulars be merely proposed in the first place to the Senate, but the replies to be decided in this Council.

Ayes, 21. Noes, 4. Neutrals, 2.

[Italian.]

Aug. 21. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlviii. pp. 356, 358.

336.—to the Marquis of Mantua.

Six thousand Lansquenets are in Burgundy on their march to Italy. Madame Margaret, after the truce stipulated with the French and English, had turned her forces against the Duke of Guelders, to whom the most Christian King had sent troops as succour. His Majesty has been much disturbed by the determination of Andrea Doria, and complains of it beyond measure. He sent immediately to Britanny, to fit out as large a fleet as possible, with orders for it to steer towards Italy.

News had been received at the French Court that the disease of the sweat in England had greatly diminished; and, so far as could be seen, the King still persevered in his usual opinion about the divorce.

Andrea Doria has not yet quitted Civita Vecchia. Some thought he would go to Rome (fn. 3) to kiss the Pope's foot, but from what is heard, he no longer intends to do so.

Viterbo, 21st August. Registered by Sanuto, 4th September.

[Italian.]

Aug. 26. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlviii. p. 324.

337. Audience in the College Hall.

Before 9 a.m., the two French ambassadors, and also the ambassador from England, came into the College Hall, and requested the reply concerning the restitution to the Pope of Ravenna and Cervia, according to instructions from their sovereigns. The Doge said he would endeavour to give an answer in the course of the day, and with this they departed.

[Italian.]

Aug. 27. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlviii. p. 329.

338. Discussion in the Senate.

Debate concerning the reply to the ambassadors of France and England, relative to restoring Ravenna and Cervia to the Pope.

[Italian.]

Aug. 28. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlviii. p. 331.

339. Audience in the College Hall.

The two ambassadors from France, the Viscount of Turenne and the Bishop of Avranches [Jean Langeac], and the English ambassador, Prothonotary Casal, came into the College early.

The Doge told them it had been resolved to answer them in the form which would be then read, whereupon Zuan Jacomo Caroldo read the reply.

[Italian.]

Aug. 29. Navagero Despatches, Cicogna copy, in the Correr Museum.

340. Andrea Navagero to the Signory.

Cardinal Campeggio, who is on his way to England, has arrived at Lyons, where he will remain for a few days, being indisposed.

Went to see him, and by his conversation understood he does not go determined to comply with the English King's demand, but will endeavour to change the King's present intention. (fn. 4)

Lyons, 29th August 1528.

[Italian.]

Aug. 29. Deliherazioni Senato (Secreta), Filza 8.

341. The Doge and Senate to the Venetian Ambassador in France.

On the 22nd inst. acquainted him with the demand made of them by the Viscount of Turenne for a reply concerning Ravenna and Cervia, as he had determined to return to the Pope. Answered him
as by enclosed copy, although they would have wished for advices from England before doing so. In this reply, endeavoured to display moderation, in accordance with the conferences held with the most Christian King by him (the ambassador). Caused their reply to be read to the Viscount and the Bishop of Avranches, the English ambassador being present. The language used by each of them expressed satisfaction, and the Viscount departed on his way to the Pope.

Ayes, 174. Noes, 3. Neutrals, 2.

[Italian.]

Aug. 29. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 45, St. Mark's Library.

342. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.

Sir Gregory Casal is now convalescent, and has removed to a place above the town for change of air.